tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-76355033344068678782024-02-20T20:13:35.625+00:00Surrey SwansSurrey Swans provides a meeting place for transgendered folk and their partners, friends and families.SurreySwanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07867534173847770711noreply@blogger.comBlogger57125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7635503334406867878.post-51952853546319247572023-05-01T10:16:00.003+01:002023-05-01T10:37:40.916+01:00Changes of Meeting Dates in 2023<p>For the past several years we've avoided having meetings on bank holiday weekends.</p><p>At the most recent meeting we had a chat about this.</p><p>It turns out that no one that attended the meeting found this to offer any consistent or regular benefits. Once in a while it meant that they could attend a meeting that otherwise they wouldn't have been able to, but just as often it had the opposite effect.</p><p>So, to simplify the timetabling (and the remembering of dates) we decided to switch back to simply scheduling meetings for the last Sunday of each month, with the only exception being December when the meeting is scheduled for the second Sunday of the month.</p><p>The full schedule of meeting for 2023 is <a href="https://surreyswans.blogspot.com/p/meetings-in-2023.html">here </a>and has been updated with the new dates.</p><p>For 2023 this affects just two dates. It means that there are now meetings scheduled on:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Sunday May 28 (instead of Sunday June 4)</li><li>Sunday August 27 (instead of Sunday September 3)</li></ul><div>Other meeting dates in 2023 aren't affected.</div><p></p>SurreySwanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07867534173847770711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7635503334406867878.post-61588812339320098992021-12-07T19:33:00.001+00:002021-12-07T19:33:14.399+00:00Working back towards normal<p>Things had been getting more like normal over the past few months. Let's hope that Omicron doesn't throw things too far off course.</p><p>The number of people attending meetings has been quite a bit lower than in pre-covid days.</p><p>The great thing has been that most months there have been one or two new people that have come along. </p><p>For some it was their first opportunity to step outside as their feminine selves.</p><p>The final meeting for 2021 is Sunday December 12, 2021.</p><p>Dates for meetings in 2022 are <a href="https://surreyswans.blogspot.com/p/meetings-in-2022.html"><b>here</b></a>.</p>SurreySwanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07867534173847770711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7635503334406867878.post-89818633437289602382021-06-07T10:35:00.003+01:002021-06-07T10:35:37.226+01:00Life after Zoom<p>Last night was the first non-virtual Surrey Swans meeting of 2021. The one prior to that was back in September 2020 ... and before that was February 2020.</p><p>It was great to see people again and also to welcome two new friends.</p><p>The future of all things still seems on the more-unpredictable-than-usual side of things, but we're hoping that other meeting scheduled for 2021 will be able to go according to plan.</p><p>We were able to sit out under the cover of a marquee in the small courtyard area beside the function room at the Lion Brewery. There was even a heater for when the evening began to get a little chillier.</p><p>Mike, who runs the Lion Brewery together with Lyndsey shared a bit of the awful armed robbery that they had been subject to back in December 2020. There's a news article about it <a href="https://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/surrey-news/armed-robbery-lion-brewery-pub-19413154">here</a>.</p><p>All in all the evening was special. A bit like a refreshing shower at the end of a drought or the sunrise after a dark night.</p><p>The schedule for Surrey Swans meetings for 2021 is <a href="https://surreyswans.blogspot.com/p/meetings-in-2021.html">here</a>.</p><p>See <a href="https://surreyswans.blogspot.com/p/introducing-surrey-swans.html">here</a> for additional information about Surrey Swans.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>SurreySwanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07867534173847770711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7635503334406867878.post-82177970005278684572021-05-31T10:51:00.001+01:002021-05-31T10:51:07.561+01:00What's happening?<p style="text-align: left;">The schedule for <i>Surrey Swans </i>meetings for 2021 is <a href="https://surreyswans.blogspot.com/p/meetings-in-2021.html" target="">here</a>.</p><p style="text-align: left;">See <a href="https://surreyswans.blogspot.com/p/introducing-surrey-swans.html">here</a> for additional information about Surrey Swans.</p>SurreySwanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07867534173847770711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7635503334406867878.post-44843669300093512932019-08-27T16:43:00.000+01:002019-08-27T16:45:36.405+01:00The Imagination Acts, Diversity and UnityA few months ago Anne Yarwood, a close friend of Sally (my wife) and I asked if I would be editor of the month for the web site that she has produced - <a href="https://theimaginationacts.co.uk/">The Imagination Acts</a>.<br />
The result was a collection of pictures and words with a theme of <b>Several Shades of T – Unity within Diversity.</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXlKTcfxDbd6ttZZBrFUz-_erNv8wJX8GLxRNvYFCT272mz9VOquTTWLUEgtAD1ak0pkMsTstSDVIVZIqfHms8NsHNQWhp68EPYZNWedqTlxnV91Q0vX-9FDSRzGTtr_smU0Iod-HRY2Y/s1600/Home02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1106" data-original-width="1106" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXlKTcfxDbd6ttZZBrFUz-_erNv8wJX8GLxRNvYFCT272mz9VOquTTWLUEgtAD1ak0pkMsTstSDVIVZIqfHms8NsHNQWhp68EPYZNWedqTlxnV91Q0vX-9FDSRzGTtr_smU0Iod-HRY2Y/s320/Home02.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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You can read the article at <a href="https://theimaginationacts.co.uk/" target="_blank">The Imagination Acts</a> web site or at Andrea's Space <a href="http://andrea-wright.blogspot.com/2019/08/several-shades-of-t-unity-within.html" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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Also, to save having to click links (and to guard against the possibility that the above links may stop working one day) the article is included below.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">But please do visit <a href="https://theimaginationacts.co.uk/" target="_blank">The Imagination Acts</a> as well - it has an enormous lot of other things that are well worth reading - and a whole lot more artwork.</span></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihCKqNsfJrvsnqly51P1LGcIWo_Ix7lheGu8rNqO2yOsi56Ld-_75swHrXn5zpks__4DRfeeBRdAdI3D2JQeSvJL5_hcBWsYo1DVCdmSRxCZwcypRqxfvC_rau61JAqv7Fp5Iqtw21138/s1600/Home07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihCKqNsfJrvsnqly51P1LGcIWo_Ix7lheGu8rNqO2yOsi56Ld-_75swHrXn5zpks__4DRfeeBRdAdI3D2JQeSvJL5_hcBWsYo1DVCdmSRxCZwcypRqxfvC_rau61JAqv7Fp5Iqtw21138/s320/Home07.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<blockquote style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.49px;">
<strong>Several Shades of T – Unity within Diversity</strong></blockquote>
<blockquote style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.49px;">
There is a human tendency towards classification and categorisation. To assign labels. To generalise. Male. Female. Straight. Lesbian. Gay. Bi. Trans.</blockquote>
<blockquote style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.49px;">
Classification has its uses, but also limitations.</blockquote>
<blockquote style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.49px;">
We can use labels to form alliances and to define borders. To stereotype. To marginalise.</blockquote>
<blockquote style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.49px;">
It challenges me that I sometimes construct borderlines as a way of self defence and preservation and fail to see the bigger picture. It is possible to value the things that hold us together. To uphold each other. And to celebrate our distinctiveness.</blockquote>
<blockquote style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.49px;">
After more than half a lifetime of denial I gave up a battle with myself and began to accept myself as the person that I am. This came with the label “trans”. As time passes, I need to regularly remind myself of the inadequacy of this label. To see that no label defines who I am. Or who you are. There is a much bigger story to your life and to mine.</blockquote>
<blockquote style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.49px;">
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>The Borderline</strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Cos what is love – a word, the feeling of you ?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Something we dream or the things that we do ?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And who am I – these thoughts, this feeling, my views</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A fragile form or a dreamer like you ?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Are we so different, defined ?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Where is the borderline ?</div>
</blockquote>
<blockquote style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.49px;">
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
When we are like water, like trees</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We have a name, an illusion of identity</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Of boundaries, of borderlines</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But my dreams are yours and your fears are mine</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I hope we wake up from this dream of being different, defined</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
When we are only space and time</div>
</blockquote>
<blockquote style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.49px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Emily Maguire (<a href="https://emilymaguire.com/biog/)" style="color: #aa0033; text-decoration-line: none;">https://emilymaguire.com/biog/)</a> is a singer-song writer, poet and composer. The International Society for Bipolar Disorders awarded her the 2019 Mogens Schou Award for Public Service and Advocacy.</i></div>
<strong></strong></blockquote>
<blockquote style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.49px;">
<strong>Several Shades of T </strong><br />
The storyline that I’m thinking of opened with L and G.</blockquote>
<blockquote style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.49px;">
After a while they were joined by B.</blockquote>
<blockquote style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.49px;">
And then T.</blockquote>
<blockquote style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.49px;">
LGBT.</blockquote>
<blockquote style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.49px;">
More recently a large selection of the rest of the alphabet has joined in. Some of them more than once.</blockquote>
<blockquote style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.49px;">
LGBTQQIAAPOG …</blockquote>
<blockquote style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.49px;">
Lesbian. Gay. Bisexual. Trans. Queer. Questioning. Intersex. Asexual. Ally. Pansexual. Other. Genderfluid. …</blockquote>
<blockquote style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.49px;">
Sometimes the newcomers all get represented by just a +.</blockquote>
<blockquote style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.49px;">
LGBT+.</blockquote>
<blockquote style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.49px;">
But the story isn’t about the alphabet.</blockquote>
<blockquote style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.49px;">
It’s about people.</blockquote>
<blockquote style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.49px;">
It began long before the alphabet got involved.</blockquote>
<blockquote style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.49px;">
And like all stories about people, whilst there are still people the story will continue.</blockquote>
<blockquote style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.49px;">
Some people are intimately involved in the story. Others are more on the periphery. We can all be involved. In some ways, we all are involved.</blockquote>
<blockquote style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.49px;">
There is a truth in that different people read the same story in different ways.</blockquote>
<blockquote style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.49px;">
Some see a collection of different letters of the alphabet. They don’t identify with any of the letters. The story is a threat. An anathema. An abomination. They want to put an end to it. But the story is about people and not the alphabet. Ending it involves blood. And even then, whilst there are people the story will continue.</blockquote>
<blockquote style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.49px;">
Some claim a letter as their own. They hold it close. They know it and understand it. Looking at the other letters they aren’t so sure. Not all letters are equal. Some of them are frauds. Dangerous. Threatening. They need to be restricted. Controlled.</blockquote>
<blockquote style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.49px;">
Some don’t consciously read the story at all. But by words, silences, actions and inactions they take part.</blockquote>
<blockquote style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.49px;">
Over the years I’ve come across people that read the story in these ways. And of people that read it in many, many other ways.</blockquote>
<blockquote style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.49px;">
My own take on it has changed. Is still changing.</blockquote>
<blockquote style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.49px;">
I’ve discovered that I have letters in this story.</blockquote>
<blockquote style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.49px;">
I know other people that have the same letters.</blockquote>
<blockquote style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.49px;">
But sharing the same letters in a story doesn’t make us the same people. We have our own thoughts, feelings, preferences. And we can even read the same story in different ways.</blockquote>
<blockquote style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.49px;">
I know other people with other letters.</blockquote>
<blockquote style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.49px;">
But I know no one for whom a letter, or even an entire alphabet, provides an adequate definition of who they are.</blockquote>
<blockquote style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.49px;">
In all of this I identify as T and G – that is a Trans person that is Genderfluid.</blockquote>
<blockquote style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.49px;">
So, what does that mean? And does it matter.</blockquote>
<blockquote style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.49px;">
The term trans is often defined as something like this: an umbrella term for all people who cross traditional gender boundaries – whether that is permanently or periodically (<a href="https://www.nhs.uk/livewell/transhealth/documents/livingmylife.pdf" style="color: #aa0033; text-decoration-line: none;">https://www.nhs.uk/livewell/transhealth/documents/livingmylife.pdf</a>.</blockquote>
<blockquote style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.49px;">
And then there’s the term genderfluid. You could say that genderfluid individuals have different gender identities at different times. A genderfluid individual’s gender identity could be multiple genders at once and then switch to none at all, or move between single gender identities, or some other combination therein. For some genderfluid people, these changes happen as often as several times a day and for others, monthly, or less often. Some genderfluid people regularly move between only a few specific genders, perhaps as few as two (which could also fit under the label bigender), whereas other genderfluid people never know what they’ll feel like next (See <a href="https://nonbinary.miraheze.org/wiki/Genderfluid" style="color: #aa0033; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">HERE – wiki/Genderfluid</a>).</blockquote>
<blockquote style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.49px;">
However, the definitions certainly have their limitations.</blockquote>
<blockquote style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.49px;">
I’ve come across some trans people who don’t like to stand under the same umbrella as other trans people. Which might add another letter to the story to accommodate them.</blockquote>
<blockquote style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.49px;">
Some people don’t believe that T has the right to be included along with LG or B.</blockquote>
<blockquote style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.49px;">
Sometimes, people begin to talk trans and then focus more upon pronouns, lavatories, changing rooms and restrooms than they do on people.</blockquote>
<blockquote style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.49px;">
Sometimes people say and do things that are much worse.</blockquote>
<blockquote style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.49px;">
Trans people face many challenges. All people face many challenges.</blockquote>
<blockquote style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.49px;">
What special rights should trans people have?</blockquote>
<blockquote style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.49px;">
Perhaps nothing more special than things that I believe should be given to all people.</blockquote>
<blockquote style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.49px;">
Things like kindness, compassion, respect and understanding.</blockquote>
<blockquote style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.49px;">
Ultimately, what every trans person that I know wishes for, is to simply be themselves.</blockquote>
<blockquote style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.49px;">
It’s not about special treatment or privileges.</blockquote>
<blockquote style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.49px;">
Of course, that’s the beginning of a story more than it is the end of one. Pronouns, restrooms, changing rooms and safe spaces matter.</blockquote>
<blockquote style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.49px;">
Safety matters.</blockquote>
<blockquote style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.49px;">
People are capable of pretending to be someone that they are not.</blockquote>
<blockquote style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.49px;">
There are challenges.</blockquote>
<blockquote style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.49px;">
But in working out solutions to these challenges let’s remember that behind every acronym and label there are real people. That even when people share the same label, they are different from each other. That there is no single voice that fully represents any label. That it is possible to disagree with someone else and yet to do that with respect and kindness. That there are times when the ability to reach a compromise is a strength. That it is better to listen to and talk with each other than it is to write about each other. That whispers sometimes speak more loudly than yells.</blockquote>
<blockquote style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.49px;">
The acronyms are complicated. People are complex. But there is something special when people that pick up different labels are able to move beyond the things that make them different. To see diversity as a thing that can enrich and strengthen rather than something that weakens and destroys.</blockquote>
<blockquote style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.49px;">
And of course, just like you, I have lots of other letters of the alphabet in lots of other stories. And we’re all involved in each of these stories in one way or another. Some stories touch us closely. Others seem to be more distant. But we are involved. What we say and do has an effect. Our inactions and silences also have an effect. And all the separate stories are, in reality, parts of a single bigger story.</blockquote>
<blockquote style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.49px;">
Martin Niemöller (<a href="https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/martin-niemoeller-first-they-came-for-the-socialists" style="color: #aa0033; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">first-they-came-for-the-socialists</a>) is remembered for saying:</blockquote>
<blockquote style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.49px;">
<i>First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out – because I was not a socialist.</i><br />
<i>Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out – because I was not a trade unionist.</i><br />
<i>Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out – because I was not a Jew.</i><br />
<i>Then they came for me – and there was no one left to speak for me.</i><br />
<br />
And so, even though I am not L or G or B, I still speak out. We are all neighbours (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+10%3A25-37&version=NIV" style="color: #aa0033; text-decoration-line: none;">www.biblegateway.com/passage</a>).</blockquote>
<blockquote style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.49px;">
Last year I discovered the music of Emily Maguire (<a href="https://emilymaguire.com/" style="color: #aa0033; text-decoration-line: none;">https://emilymaguire.com/</a> ) and was especially touched when listening to a song of hers called The Borderline which speaks to me of the way it can be so easy to concentrate on things that divide us rather than the things that hold us together. You can listen to it <a href="https://emilymaguire.com/music/stranger-place/track/the-borderline/" style="color: #aa0033; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">HERE</a> and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJNg3-QuaWA" style="color: #aa0033; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">HERE</a>.</blockquote>
<blockquote style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.49px;">
The words are:</blockquote>
<div style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.49px; text-align: center;">
<i><b>The Borderline</b></i></div>
<div style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.49px; text-align: center;">
<i>[E.Maguire]</i></div>
<div style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.49px; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.49px; text-align: center;">
<i>Where is the borderline</i></div>
<div style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.49px; text-align: center;">
<i>The boundary between your tribe and mine</i></div>
<div style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.49px; text-align: center;">
<i>Are we the rain, the river, the cloud and the sea</i></div>
<div style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.49px; text-align: center;">
<i>If we are like water then which drop is me</i></div>
<div style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.49px; text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.49px; text-align: center;">
<i>And what is time – the fast blink of an eye</i></div>
<div style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.49px; text-align: center;">
<i>A circle so vast that we think it’s a line</i></div>
<div style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.49px; text-align: center;">
<i>And what is space – the air, the silence we breathe</i></div>
<div style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.49px; text-align: center;">
<i>A place of our own and the ghosts we don’t see Is it the boundary, the borderline</i></div>
<div style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.49px; text-align: center;">
<i>Between you and I, your mind and mine</i></div>
<div style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.49px; text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.49px; text-align: center;">
<i>Is fire the spark, the fuel, the air or the heat</i></div>
<div style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.49px; text-align: center;">
<i>The smoke in your eyes or the ash at your feet</i></div>
<div style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.49px; text-align: center;">
<i>Are trees the root, the branch, the wood or the leaves</i></div>
<div style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.49px; text-align: center;">
<i>The forest we burn or the broom that we keep</i></div>
<div style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.49px; text-align: center;">
<i>Beneath the stairs, the stars, the space in a jar. The air outside is that where you are</i></div>
<div style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.49px; text-align: center;">
<i>Is that the borderline, the boundary</i></div>
<div style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.49px; text-align: center;">
<i>Between you and I, between your tribe and mine</i></div>
<div style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.49px; text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.49px; text-align: center;">
<i>But isn’t fear the dark shadow of hope</i></div>
<div style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.49px; text-align: center;">
<i>The things that we want and the things that we don’t</i></div>
<div style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.49px; text-align: center;">
<i>And so we cling and close the eyes that look in,</i></div>
<div style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.49px; text-align: center;">
<i>The soul we don’t see under the skin</i></div>
<div style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.49px; text-align: center;">
<i>Cos that’s a boundary, the borderline</i></div>
<div style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.49px; text-align: center;">
<i>Between you and I, between your tribe and mine</i></div>
<div style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.49px; text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.49px; text-align: center;">
<i>But we both were born and both will die</i></div>
<div style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.49px; text-align: center;">
<i>And in between will doubt and dream</i></div>
<div style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.49px; text-align: center;">
<i>Of a better life than life before</i></div>
<div style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.49px; text-align: center;">
<i>A meaning or a reason for</i></div>
<div style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.49px; text-align: center;">
<i>This feeling of being different, defined</i></div>
<div style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.49px; text-align: center;">
<i>When we are only dreaming of boundaries and borderlines</i></div>
<div style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.49px; text-align: center;">
<i>I hope we wake up</i></div>
<div style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.49px; text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.49px; text-align: center;">
<i>Cos what is love – a word, the feeling of you</i></div>
<div style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.49px; text-align: center;">
<i>Something we dream or the things that we do</i></div>
<div style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.49px; text-align: center;">
<i>And who am I – these thoughts, this feeling, my views</i></div>
<div style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.49px; text-align: center;">
<i>A fragile form or a dreamer like you</i></div>
<div style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.49px; text-align: center;">
<i>Are we so different, defined</i></div>
<div style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.49px; text-align: center;">
<i>Where is the borderline?</i></div>
<div style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.49px; text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.49px; text-align: center;">
<i>When we are like water, like trees</i></div>
<div style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.49px; text-align: center;">
<i>We have a name, an illusion of identity</i></div>
<div style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.49px; text-align: center;">
<i>Of boundaries, of borderlines</i></div>
<div style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.49px; text-align: center;">
<i>But my dreams are yours and your fears are mine</i></div>
<div style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.49px; text-align: center;">
<i>I hope we wake up from this dream of being different, defined</i></div>
<div style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.49px; text-align: center;">
<i>When we are only space and time</i></div>
<div style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.49px; text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.49px;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.49px;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #4f4f4f; font-family: "open sans"; font-size: 15px;">And yes, I too hope that we wake up.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.49px;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #4f4f4f; font-family: "open sans"; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></div>
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SurreySwanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07867534173847770711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7635503334406867878.post-70274340849216516932019-01-17T15:56:00.001+00:002019-01-17T15:58:34.582+00:00TRANSlation - a trans film for cis people<p>Back in November 2018 we had a visit from a group of people studying at UCA as described <a href="http://surreyswans.blogspot.com/2018/11/november-25-2018films-and-quizzes.html" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="http://andrea-wright.blogspot.com/2018/12/documentaries-cafe-rouge-and-more.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</p><p>The video that they produced, <strong><em>TRANSlation - a trans film for cis people</em></strong>, is now online. Here it is:</p><p><iframe width="1280" height="720" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kp8sqeZ1_AQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="" style="width: 510px; height: 327px;" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture"></iframe></p>SurreySwanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07867534173847770711noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7635503334406867878.post-57161340678332155722018-12-12T17:38:00.001+00:002018-12-12T17:38:41.938+00:00Sunday December 9th 2018 - Pre-Christmas Buffet<p>Sunday December 9th was the evening of the pre-Christmas buffet.</p><p>It was a lovely evening and it was great to see everyone. Here are a few pictures.</p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj6VFgeWhVCU5Lxh-BaevnoP4_inVmmBymtrgXdsR1LLoAxl5kfOrxbuE4DGBaNMbJoXeCNfVmbkKc_snAJobgAbr6oGbRAsG5xb6Recn4CqDlL-ubup7niqtxt1C6KtwJ1tcP0A0yOfs/s1600-h/01%255B4%255D"><img width="526" height="297" title="01" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="01" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji0csk9GCl7n7saJpnDKIDyllEiqF-Ze-msKIP6VV5252RLZOaxN_h6J9qZ1JySX-QXE0evWTYNnXMrLq2sEYn_o9TyCbsdmRwO4QN-4CeMDBT-dfeGbvzRBrsovJY0R-i-9K0veoyA_w/?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidw9KPdAHBUiWNfA_lpMvio0wXNbn8VuhztTZXPV4ZBRu6tRRxSlISs0RKvaFX5nL5eI2yJ2tky7zSUG7IOR3jmMXmodgfsv115gvuAXeA5-OK2rLCYT_GPmp1roLrPzQGKVrM44QbibA/s1600-h/02%255B4%255D"><img width="528" height="301" title="02" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="02" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW69WpGkjyGEZojBULdYPIqe2_XIZrYmYu7m8e4z6Sc2ounKY6cWuqBBvf2rvHhxcCRXGyE3EmWQD9S1rSR8fyC2MTDF2V63Ebpk2FNBwhFTORKkQrDU6xQBaTM_BSCp6ZclMlfyXNsTQ/?imgmax=800" border="0"></a>SurreySwanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07867534173847770711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7635503334406867878.post-68644088430384943852018-11-28T15:12:00.001+00:002018-11-28T15:12:11.367+00:00November 25 2018–Films and Quizzes<p>Earlier in November I received an email from Harri who is studying at the University for Creative Arts (<a href="https://www.uca.ac.uk/life-at-uca/locations/farnham/" target="_blank">UCA</a>), Farnham</p><blockquote><p><em>"We have been given a brief to create a 10 minute documentary, and my group wanted to document the community between trans individuals. As a trans student myself, this topic is close to my heart.<br>
I was wondering if your organisation would be open to being the subject of our documentary? Or perhaps if you know of individual members who would be open to discussing the trans community?"</em></p><em>
</em><p><em>"As we are focusing on community, it'd be lovely to explore the relationships Surrey Swans builds and how it has helped individuals. We would love to conduct interviews with any member who would be happy to be filmed. <br>
We'd also be exploring how people experience the difference between a tight-knit trans community such as Surrey Swans, and also the trans community as a wider concept."</em></p></blockquote><p>We had a brief get-together at the <a href="http://www.lionbrewery.co.uk/" target="_blank">Lion Brewery</a> on Thursday 22nd November. A chance to meet the people that would be creating the documentary, a look at the kind of questions that might get included in interviews and to talk a bit about Surrey Swans, what it means to me, to some of the people that I know. And a bit about relationships in general.</p><p>So, on Sunday 25 November 2018 we had six visitors from UCA. Nate, Harri, Alex,Terrell, Evie, Elisha.</p><p>They arrived at about 6:30 pm to set things up.</p><p>I arrived at about 7:15 pm as setting up was nearing completion.</p><p>I have a chat with Elisha, who’ll be asking the questions, as the final bits and pieces of preparation are done.</p><p>Of course, if everything always went hitch-free first time there’s be no point at all in practicing anything or learning to do new stuff.</p><p>The hitch is with the microphone. A large submarine-looking thing which seems intent upon misbehaving.</p><p>It’s impressive that there are no visible signs of panic.</p><p>A backup plan kicks in … or perhaps it was put together on the spur of the moment. It involves moving outside and using an alternate microphone.</p><p>In fact, “inside” is a little on the noisy side, so moving outside is a good idea anyway.</p><p>The main challenge is that it is November 25th. Which means that it’s a little on the chilly side.</p><p>Volunteers are interviewed and filming (I guess that should be videoing since no film is in sight) proceeds through the evening.</p><p>Here’s how it looked:</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ12LEEfjw3j0CYGcXNjBusnhr0ZPhGO35PYufChzJtQWvsByvV4-gF_oa9ft2Hl8xJA2FOcvioDfyvaD7m5YBy8aA5QyFnzy-HyEWvwuBe_ZjjrA22hNcAJjNQSYp83OviyjBL02eaHg/s1600-h/P1100005_800x600%255B3%255D"><img width="508" height="382" title="P1100005_800x600" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="P1100005_800x600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5mJmGMFUgLheVIowAY4RPbbNSm90LYcKz08F7sg2JBcbfcwcF8HQM8vPjTQRrxf-q9oawN2TJYY8d0HVk8QLDzblplE0CqRJyXQo9IvVnDjYltncdoJehWpkvLmM8_YZenVETwnrWeRM/?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglot0Z1NHnMIm3AUqGyry57lIHjHbV7_2dbcitHhvAuFrRUSrMI3Hyw2RkfMqnmbHLCC0ZOLmYoOCk_Wy162tlpuVgPfupRGrXZWZmQAfFETFhgTHLuguKZUDSFV54j2IRJRCgEr-FR24/s1600-h/P1100006_800x600%255B4%255D"><img width="512" height="385" title="P1100006_800x600" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="P1100006_800x600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZPcCpSlUNlhAhSNFiUuw0PyY2S40muhK875_SdUCZveF3tmm3zyNNqTR5blsvBI-GIJ4-a3Rz5NRPq9-NVe2ECFFJ_4BvMVlBVnTI2EFaWRsJgcNqaQjeCibT2M4zZhk-bysM996ePTo/?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcZLXaJNgjTSoq5eLHuAKYA5hLqafZAGd5xJ1aFTywykuelDOrGHk5FGucphheFP_zaECDACENPouCCkEdqmB_2nGWz0VGJD9mwOkFdxQJrwfIW3sbTrcE9TcD6ER7XhWd9fZdds7xETs/s1600-h/P1100007_800x600%255B4%255D"><img width="517" height="389" title="P1100007_800x600" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="P1100007_800x600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXqubFO9IPNiN0f3LGAHik3n6uhOrcpI387W1aqgmDJu_CMwlb8yccFvaS8aMkLoQEXJWVHOacKa-baXZQmvaq6qmlB76GUy_5VtBVpunoWaJJAI8vC-giRH_ccvuiS811veLX_WRkzkM/?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpw08e5KIiXsvDX_NSpidJbtSt8zReHn2A0ba9wICmR0CUN5caSJgPxFU_yTsarPaHOdHcd2-DTCB5qGXgeV2ikonsWBIJoLkzCuEuxvoeEz6hUpRlbHRoJmrHnzs4X_MqGYHhoSM3Jv0/s1600-h/P1100008_800x600%255B5%255D"><img width="519" height="391" title="P1100008_800x600" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="P1100008_800x600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirggFM30wl9mV1T7N1JKiePmhazLvHU6Og1ccZTi81CywOsyiboPTMyxDsWjKV_8inK08wG5OhP-Vi9w_q_hRVK3COpw5-E_MIBb-JgQdEL1eUFZjKBatra2KeMNQn45Ry6OYJZArWWbU/?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2VAe9CQZa_LfrE7nSvjjPmXAr_-j0KXsAwX6LkrOsWZw433JB1Gv77GdaDwxMctj-Dm93nIu_n8GVzXD3qlOhpv_Iq4MTzL9Ke_ddKO_MBHO7GacRXzPGWeRlAQJWyQMOaI4sK0r-wlg/s1600-h/P1100009_800x600%255B4%255D"><img width="526" height="396" title="P1100009_800x600" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="P1100009_800x600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNjudNM-ATcPEnQGFl-RfjInTGaApZDrlOpuUG0uIIeOAHja12LQe5y0SDCzj-EBThf5rcmbgOVQwHwfieKFmhFkjAsjImsKhNCypby_9THzr6jXNG0Rduow4mg7WG2ODfSGA6uFgDd8E/?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh93Gc1_drwFCrxDVmPQzspgtj4-ts4Cu-svLPZa8nPVnmlVrEJUw94vLbul5VxlPR3J6uEePOA6E_KUNeUsdgx4OTjNVpmfo83bJbqy2hsf9JPPO4VbTajJuUwo7plEuk6jVyLHJvFN-8/s1600-h/P1100010_800x600%255B4%255D"><img width="529" height="398" title="P1100010_800x600" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="P1100010_800x600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidK260e6HtxlyownfNFUbHAhwf2HJQVT3K_-X1QWiWNjU7lgvKA84wo4JV5I1CFaJxYF9Gn8S3AHFtiUD24JeiybhfpUNUJsmzmctde-ywy2OvzeL8DEHRCCrhVx4V_PAFnPgv00fsOrI/?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhecD11bG22Zbt9pDhoSQdpT5A7GChLSxv9Hd2lE5NBCL-Sp5yferrbYeXdFYVWeOEOCfXyL7cbelv1Lx737qwa8NjCL4Is9KtjdYTlwQMNHeWU2mY_N2ka2j513223IykEvrYv9MpaE5Q/s1600-h/P1100011_800x600%255B4%255D"><img width="537" height="404" title="P1100011_800x600" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="P1100011_800x600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRUOR2aBSrO06JJljBVGs6ff8jB_Ds5xZ4r84CxETtgi7Ki1DggF3osaFwvmubAC_uXLXmGwwmjO8nNhzh_uBFHbzsfcVC1yyjpyDI7BsmG7oLTab9buZMaRNxdPS2d3alF6Ygqj_RzJM/?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEfd_qwA944Th_Foc6D9cQvupTUJ8rP6fQUcn-UoXJCm4xVqf4PRTszu8BcLsexWEfBH4Qc3KsvBPrK0C-8LFn9cHgoS1dKrxcXHfC_qtekwKbOW20HLOS6pzkRksmSPqcq8jKmc6aJns/s1600-h/P1100012_688x600%255B3%255D"><img width="535" height="466" title="P1100012_688x600" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="P1100012_688x600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjov_n0RxplZd5lS52jS9DZ4Pzi_PPJ4MKNYSRyezqRFojoVNtt4GeWSPM5XowVkgcyjuucnKjnFDdgTjO6b_lH4zoRrRz7wM-gjiKmVPw6r05w7NHYB49A63gh4oxjpGlzFj0AVdKb0zA/?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p align="center">Nate, Harri, Alex,Terrell </p><p align="center">Evie, Elisha,</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm1g7U-EcjEpsHSbNgMM61tl0bpvt6cN0I5w_saHZd9xnPKjtuhBHh9KEpYBEB8gZu4bPbBn7hFy5BCWUw57oQthvMcaBlqi24REQyRIJ7aIN2IMLW4f4IzAqJZbyH_jJ9tOkUAmnlH30/s1600-h/P1100013_800x600%255B4%255D"><img width="541" height="407" title="P1100013_800x600" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="P1100013_800x600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9qoZzSlZqDScQme90wfLLEV6_tDHt1tcmzpPAfuwZtLPI-5lj1upiDxyW77HeaSFRz0heuZ-Y8cbB28lKTP7xw9ZfxxQKTZQ8oUr9oER2kz5V7JkfsI-KXt7kBhc8IYqsTuDSUZOrxr0/?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP1ErqBTNs_mvRJPhVxkJZwDhbd7Pug5NSnhN42eXN4no5Wv3T-ICVwUUfvE82avGbLdTTMmxAgyCWQnaCO3Sn4pD6Ozj2qQ_YyDmdzubGrIx0pRmyoDCNETKYkuc3w3wqhkaph-qSim8/s1600-h/P1100015_800x600%255B4%255D"><img width="545" height="410" title="P1100015_800x600" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="P1100015_800x600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl7m7Il9H5B7gk8gB2LGpenrutM9MtBcJJf-wmyO9wCa_cpymAPsFHL0alc-fWv-QtmUCDsJCHI4hiA06cjba_It5QjQqtPrxd3zJNsjDym9Sf-IdnjGlrdY6ygzz-g6qGa0Fo6PlJdJ8/?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>The evening was really very enjoyable and we’re looking forwards to seeing the finished product. Nate, Harri, Alex,Terrell, Evie, Elisha were fantastic, getting things done efficiently and without imposing at all on other things that were happening during the evening.</p><p>We did have a visit from UCA back in November 2013 … you can read all about that <a href="http://surreyswans.blogspot.com/2013/11/sunday-november-24-2013-new-visitors.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</p><p>On a different note, since <a href="http://andrea-wright.blogspot.com/search?q=quiz" target="_blank">November 2016</a> people who come along to Surrey Swans have gotten involved in quiz evenings organised by people at <a href="https://ash-vale.org.uk/" target="_blank">St Mary’s Church</a> in Ash Vale. I wasn’t able to get along to it, but a team of 6 swans plus 2 friends did and they came third. So no longer is it true for us that “the only way is up” :). They had a great time.</p>SurreySwanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07867534173847770711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7635503334406867878.post-88319384338840052018-06-01T11:54:00.001+01:002018-06-01T11:54:03.341+01:00A visit to Guildford Police Station<p>May 31st was the day set for a visit to Guildford Police Station.</p><p>In April I’d received an email from Robin, who works there asking if I’d be prepared to visit them and talk about Transgender issues and how they could assist us should we come into contact with the police.</p><div>Robin also mentioned that it would be fine if other people came along as well and said that things that would be useful to talk about were things like:</div><blockquote><p>How you discovered that you were Trans. Problems you’ve come across, how you’ve been accepted, or not, whether you’ve been victimised because of it, whether you’ve reported issues to Police and how they responded and how we can do things better ?</p></blockquote><p>We agreed on a date of May 31st and ‘Chelle, Linda, Rose, Amanda and Cynthia said that they’d like to come along as well.</p><p>In the event, work commitments meant that Cynthia couldn’t make it.</p><p>I’d spent a while thinking about what I’d like say and wrote it down to try and estimate how long it would take to say it, and to try and keep myself from running off at tangents.</p><p>I was keen, as well, to provide some tome for everyone else to share some of their own thoughts and experiences.</p><p>We met at the Friary shopping centre in Guildford at about 11:00 am for coffee and a chat, and then headed for the police station to arrive there at about 11:50 … it’s a short 10 minute walk. We were met by Robin. Spent a few minutes signing in and headed up to the meeting room on the 7th floor.</p><p>Almost 30 people turned up to listen to us. We were a bit surprised. And impressed as well, that so many people would give up their own time to coma along and listen to us.</p><p>We spent a little over 30 minutes sharing thoughts and experiences. And had a lovely response from people afterwards. </p><p>Hermann, one of the officers at Surrey Police (the tall one in the picture) spent some time sharing about the way that their work is about safeguarding and assisting people.</p><p>We spent quite a while eating bread rolls and soup and chatting. It was especially good in that lots of people (including we five visitors) said it had been a useful time and that we’d learned important things.</p><p>For me, and I believe also for others, it had been a really valuable time.</p><p>Here’s a picture taken after the the talking and before the soup and bread rolls:</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq1Dm4H08rSo06SVpd2PHpPLBPXZJyzO_xT8muUPCOr5aPE_G0t5oR1f3yXk1t6MsWHcUpkJPGRyTPM1Nl80maXTB5Rv1QDvi-Af7IqUFGtscnQHMWpHAyvR-Joy3uIWfId_2omIif_t8/s1600-h/IMG_5677%255B4%255D"><img width="536" height="403" title="IMG_5677" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="IMG_5677" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg02XAxvRdSSVFZqi_Sbh_DNlpSE9yTxr4asDpz-O6vNs1jzrL0ecIjJu23gzCPM3Iwt1crYVo3uUvQBkrEFrc_g1r9WiQQeDtr-AnfK5W3LGrYlBEOZE8Q4cEvHZ7jzEZhucrG_p5O8HM/?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>If you’re interested in the kind of things that we said, then here is some of it:</p><p>Robin (front centre in the picture) introduced us and explained a bit about what we were likely to be talking about.</p><p>The script that I worked from was this:</p><blockquote><p>Hello<ul><li>Good afternoon, I’m Andrea</li><li>And here are: Chelle, Linda, Amanda and Rose</li><li>We are trans or transgender</li><li>But more than that we are just people</li><li>Each of us have been involved in one way or another with Surrey Swans</li><li>A place where trans people, friends and partners meet socially once a month in Ash</li></ul><p>Firstly<ul><li>I’d like to begin by saying thank you</li><li><a href="http://surreyswans.blogspot.com/2014/12/" target="_blank">Jo and Michelle came along to Surrey Swans back in 2014 along with Carol (from New Patch)</a> to talk with us about what you do … so it’s nice to return the visit</li><li>When I mentioned this meeting to people at Surrey Swans, I got very positive feedback about the police force … about you.</li><li>We know that what you do makes a difference to people. It makes a difference to us.</li><li>What you do is not just a job</li><li>Isn’t it strange, yesterday I was thinking, there are times when I’m driving and I see a police car, and I feel anxiety. My mind fills with stuff like “I hope my break likes are working. But as Andrea When I see a police officer I feel safe</li><li>So, thank you</li></ul><p>A definition of <a href="https://www.uhb.nhs.uk/Downloads/pdf/controlled-documents/SupportingTransgenderIndividuals.pdf" target="_blank">Transgender / Trans</a> is that it is an umbrella term used to cover numerous types of gender identity such as:<ul><li>Transsexual</li><li>Transvestite</li><li>Non-binary</li><li>Bi-gendered</li><li>Non-gendered</li><li>Genderfluid </li><li>… etc.</li><li>that’s a lot of diversity</li></ul><p>A question:<ul><li>How many people here meet trans people on a regular basis?</li></ul><p>You know though, whatever trans is:</p><ul><li>Trans is people</li><li>Individual people with unique stories and life experiences</li><li>Not all trans people agree with each other even on all things trans</li><li>I, and all of us here, are not representing the trans community – mainly we are just sharing personal experiences and thoughts</li></ul><p><a href="http://andrea-wright.blogspot.com/2007/06/beginning.html" target="_blank">My story</a> … which is different from everyone else’s<p>Childhood, which was a long time ago. I remember:<ul><li>I confusion </li><li>experimentation with clothing</li></ul><p>Growing up, as a student and then later, I remember<ul><li>Confusion </li><li>What it was all about?</li><li>Just a fetish?</li><li>Becoming a Christianity</li><li>Was it sinful?</li><li>Should I feel guilty?</li><li>Feeling guilty.</li><li>Buying things</li><li>Throwing things away</li><li>Repenting</li><li>Keeping secrets</li><li>Feeling ashamed</li></ul><p>By 2006 or so<ul><li>The internet – communication with strangers</li><li>I wasn’t the only person in the world like this</li><li>Telling anonymous people</li><li>Buying clothing that was more than underwear</li><li>Someone asking if my wife knew</li><li>Letting my wife find out</li><li>Her coming to terms with it and accepting me</li><li> Neither of us understanding</li><li>Trying makeup and lipstick - Try it sometime … there’s all kinds of possibilities for total disaster.</li><li><a href="http://andrea-wright.blogspot.com/2007/05/fiona-floyd.html" target="_blank">Seeing an advertisement for a makeover, clothes and pictures</a></li><li><a href="http://andrea-wright.blogspot.com/2007/05/new-arrival.html" target="_blank">Going along</a></li><li>Being encouraged to tell my wife all about it</li><li>Meeting myself</li><li>Crying</li><li>Telling my children, family, friends</li><li>Learning to be myself</li><li>Working out that really, it’s just about who I am</li><li>If I have a label it’s Genderfluid - People say “what’s that” rather than just go along with a likely incorrect stereotype</li></ul><p>And some experiences<ul><li><a href="http://andrea-wright.blogspot.com/2010/07/sparkle-2010-saturday.html" target="_blank">A preacher in Manchester</a></li><li>A piece of <a href="http://andrea-wright.blogspot.com/2008/07/sparkle-people-and-bananas.html" target="_blank">banana</a> at the Arndale centre in Manchester</li><li>Being called a “She-man” in Windsor</li><li><a href="http://andrea-wright.blogspot.com/2010/06/night-on-town.html" target="_blank">A drunken man in Peascod street in Windsor</a></li><li><a href="http://andrea-wright.blogspot.com/2012/07/sparkle-2012-thoughts-feelings-pictures.html" target="_blank">A drunken man in Weatherspoon’s in Manchester</a></li><li><a href="http://surreyswans.blogspot.com/2014/12/" target="_blank">A visit to Surrey Swans by Surrey police LAGLO’s Swans</a></li><li>Police officers at Sparkle</li><li>Strangers that say nice things</li><li>Acceptance by friends, family, church people</li></ul><p>Linda, Rose and Amanda then shared some of their thoughts and experiences.<p>And a few more points to finish:· <ul><li>Trans people are really just people</li><li>Not a label, a problem or an issue to be dealt with (being trans is not really about bathrooms)</li></ul><p>In common with other people:</p><ul><li>Each of us is unique, with our own life stories, fears and dreams</li><li>Sometimes we are still in the process of trying to discover ourselves, understand ourselves and accept ourselves</li><li>We don’t always act logically and sensibly</li><li>We sometimes suffer from uncertainty, stress, confusion, fear and vulnerability</li></ul><p>We (all people, not just trans people) mostly just want to be free to be ourselves. </p><p>So, in dealing with trans people, as with anyone else, it’s great, whenever possible, to:</p><ul><li>Be polite to us</li><li>Treat us with dignity and courtesy</li><li>Use the pronouns (he, she, they ...) that we prefer. If uncertain then ask us</li><li>Consider our physical and emotional condition</li><li>Be aware that there is a possibility that we are feeling afraid and vulnerable. Talk to us to find out about our own situation.</li><li>Explain what’s happening and why it’s happening</li><li>Try to understand us</li></ul><p>And we, on our part, will try to do all of these things when we meet you, because we know that you are people just as much as we are</p><p>What we want … what we need … each of us in this room</p><ul><li>To be treated with respect, as we in turn, treat others with respect</li><li>To be listened to just as we listen</li><li>To be accepted … or at least not be intimidated or hated … just as we are accepting</li></ul></blockquote><blockquote><p>And finally from me:</p><ul><li>Thank you again for listening</li><li>And at Surrey Swans we’re keen to maintain good links with the police service, so pay us a visit soon</li><li>And … ask us questions … </li></ul><p>Chelle then shared some thoughts and experiences. She also raised a question as to the kind of definition of “trans” that the police use when safeguarding trans people. We were reassured that the definition is the same one that we talked about near the beginning of the session.</p></blockquote>SurreySwanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07867534173847770711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7635503334406867878.post-48992909977887221462018-05-24T13:01:00.001+01:002018-05-24T13:01:50.559+01:00April 2018 sk:n, Dior and Guildford Police Station<p>We had a visit from Tracie at the <a href="https://www.sknclinics.co.uk/clinics/the-south/esher-high-street" target="_blank">sk:n clinic</a> in Esher to our meeting at the end of April.</p><p>Tracie talked about the treatments that they offer, particularly laser hair removal. It was really interesting and informative.</p><p>I’m thinking about it still, it would be nice to especially not need to shave my face.</p><p>We also received some samples of anti aging skin-care cream.</p><p>As a bonus, Amanda brought in some perfume and foundation samples that had kindly been given to her by the Dior counter at House of Fraser in Guildford.</p><p>A few of us will be visiting Guildford police station on May 31st to share our thoughts and experiences with people that are based there.</p>SurreySwanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07867534173847770711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7635503334406867878.post-40477709457269859572018-04-21T11:46:00.001+01:002018-04-21T11:46:10.346+01:00Some recent pictures<p>Here are a few pictures from recent Surrey Swans meetings, kindly provided by Beaux.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD0Hd6-dwk_aikoIzVkxwR20EmgAhC6IqrE5zVUFbXjP7gTn_va3NEOEalPYRCx2pZT8OLUcvTil13KOIQtNsqZaD3mKFPqW9rqKSLk6R61gc4B6_ABnvv6CIo8OpIOpwRDlpe0RQV7ic/s1600-h/05%255B3%255D"><img width="202" height="252" title="05" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="05" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOgvyDVAKfFxoo7YwoHPbP5_sxuJYEEJ3g8ibAdy0eBUcLatm3HjgfmzDs-w8INeSQrGIJbezzO-SKaCdMeY0WLRgi6esIpP_5_mCtFziY8kIWqT4f7P9l_S6VQrTFQvlRM1A0pLIPSh0/?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiyAb4dMJlKzZ1lzvKIXm0U9_d4wm754aT1RJh5ED2yyxPlzSwe2cva92cvoKVEgJGQxu3gZTQdf79arLkMbkjd0Vcg0tbxRzEIvwv4JP-qNeKY9gkVKdCe4Mle_BVArxYOn6bQxNZrwQ/s1600-h/08%255B3%255D"><img width="202" height="251" title="08" align="left" style="float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="08" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGoLzkUfRQOefikdnfJg8PUr8ArcQYaZ1xFq9av_9lFRoz2Z6zr-y6pBZB4YOrkooPqysUVikUGZTMwCo2KotdYoRtDUSrC6Uv02HHWyUBLnL3kpRlJFby6ofXMgJ-YNRBZNcWxMfciJ4/?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhegstr9ZuBAXKxSV4uzhThij3dbUjS-ma29DvFLB_etKMOrjjpgMWjbuzUudI6Xy8baS7FSdvxm86fYtvUe5rmKfuLXUqlU3B8n9V9IGajirVDY1mHWPDtttrmL2n__dHTSe8Gyr0BRdo/s1600-h/03%255B6%255D"><img width="468" height="352" title="03" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="03" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie0CzW_0qqVN_NMIdgcwgc3gJHTGdDVqKTpFpPXmji8int_JJHDzn_6VLTO8H6gEodC892VbrWFYR2E6HH0LB4Ge-OokYOy_XjzelxtaK7b2ZDMxeH65XDqDY_dSSso1pK6r0gueHxHtI/?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsUOGpAcphPxOY_qoC7KLVO7ADTtlhDDUNHY_cy3ckLLkuIyo6oP8VS3eph_yfUUwQCpj7HLpvPq_YpOVRy-p0Z8mWOBSx_DZeV49ZJv3i_wxB-oDHgWbV4SPt2oSBdR2UbpPU4ScC7qQ/s1600-h/01%255B5%255D"><img width="467" height="264" title="01" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="01" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlAtcZiJRNVxWllfxj_7fl0d5mE77aVlMDb1S5zqRCnkCcv3zkAykvZ0djlzWCq0TWTWU6bLCLrf8DxBW8sNleMnvqcpDPZiHaNP64lqU0cYFuJZaHk-MN31J3BaZAawnalH7vddP5_QY/?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1n78G1SLjW-Exc4TkU9R6QYwED7iB3ubK7HcKzyQAGZgrupZRH_I2EP5YtikrVKP8-d3vrjvweDvR4hV7Dge0vqegVkIYgIQ77yvx7KCZO0hqwZvvuykGF3WD19SBC2Co-M9xEg-BIf0/s1600-h/04%255B2%255D"><img width="196" height="244" title="04" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="04" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT1bcTH4rjMDyaclrGo56sUgumta1S0l5rMKCBN6bkMC4OQ3jIlqTTyHhjRdbbs67eJeAEhIzadiR51eKwVUB4kr5mHz_JWCO071LKrydEoUh1Xctb0u02RTis73Yvavz2xEyQlozlHBs/?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8-ay0qLWJ6kg9wF7K9xcml6jO8RI7pHC4urSGefJ7NcR4IluMqpehbX48pnwDGQh74TkLIVMpGIFbIpV2oLw1SKDDB6TwJfWX5RHhSrWU_gUlWHAkF_qSZqLfgRoxFV3Qp_EquE2qiAU/s1600-h/07%255B2%255D"><img width="244" height="244" title="07" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="07" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSNBKgRqqti_CUBUH1VW7A6_iOIzunpKWqEpxMNhBDsrxIoJvWK4byT16O9yJv7T7aM4k15Q0yXgNdPrZ-rmRvEAj5-vFycI5uMF942cfvv8gvSew8qcdiwB4o240erIHU6AO7P0I3o8k/?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p>SurreySwanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07867534173847770711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7635503334406867878.post-30971715273575466092018-01-30T17:23:00.001+00:002018-01-30T17:28:23.583+00:00Sunday January 28 2018<p>The first meeting of 2018 was great with several new people coming along. Here are a few pictures:</p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp5_Noi8NcoFiRCHMq2cjOZmcP2Z4IpTL3pAkE4qV55uuh77tEu7tSXD81mMkgIWAivc1EMu4dChvs16HPnk-0RnAlK0n5yyTf8soE5JtyN-zOe6_1HXwMXfYdETS4pMd90YsXbUUtQF4/s1600-h/Group+01%255B1%255D"><img width="481" height="253" title="Group 01" style="border: 0px currentcolor; border-image: none; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Group 01" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuiC_yUyuKHtBC55CEWInBDhBGyrvIBhjy5VSgvXwC6VQ3zr9TxQ14eb_WJxzJhyU8IsKBIrOClPPyXitpqG9k0ZyWytTGJVgNWfbOcJ4Nh3k11PbcyBVfcZAY1piRQqcIC7WMNF61jls/?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_GOfG8BAcdrAHb1oszyEEL3Ut2Ga5jnet9NfRAWxUCEOJmVjDa1pdXwTz04xt6QhdcaOyhtfpMCZ4-a2Etitu1KtMKeiDAOiF4E8dn49j73GG3yEXygHQmxcvLUKDfeILuc6Xfva2JqU/s1600-h/Group+02%255B8%255D"><img width="478" height="267" title="Group 02" style="border: 0px currentcolor; border-image: none; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Group 02" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdOhIJF0HWEHl7iT_vALJiogsSlKTg3R-aCb7toe79Qvl3HQqv2M-Uxxtz3Y-fKJaclO96DoKjKzaL8FRsGA3qlM6AsUABCtnyktc8IL2F312E8yTcwfgB_40AW5_UOv-3Yi-H2hH6fmM/?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p>SurreySwanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07867534173847770711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7635503334406867878.post-64219141643697579032018-01-10T09:50:00.001+00:002018-01-10T09:52:55.906+00:00Sunday 10th December 2017This was the evening of the pre-Christmas buffet.<br />
Here are a few pictures of the evening:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUdHsOp7faSMnsS43i3FqERpAozi0ALIpcUjXtl7oIO92H8Md5O28IYCiYb06dub4i8Pi9guJXFTrC5lC6NpmiHF7DBpF7e16VnBSF-Sw-pbmFOpfZgM6YN9O3Tv9zFFKYHhoW9GVSCrU/s1600-h/P1090351_1067x800%255B3%255D"><img alt="P1090351_1067x800" border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP7CX3siefJ1S0jFzMcFqtw_nG8ZHClfS2Xx0VgAGUyAPZQR-SzLwR1TNaIakTwN5Tbrhp0n5y_ZIt30bH7pn64C2UK2UVjDQJbCGDJwybHag2q8vBTx_WYcdMi9bjRayehUpv4Ow0R2U/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: inline;" title="P1090351_1067x800" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRBtSRMjW1WdChKK7z8nJFPzGlBQYeXIH4NbspF2IoyxQ4ku1QcPTzwrq0ez1q8w6GyrzKMzgjWc8zQ75G0qjp-WDqxV57LBeCd5QDIv9t8tYmuoVKOEHgFyfriPoTLR1I7_UEmsv3ooM/s1600-h/P1090352_1067x800%255B5%255D"><img alt="P1090352_1067x800" border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBOrtB8pvQtp7Je9j7c8hdaSXEFK6mRGmTByjlcOO-KlJhVSvxi3z2IZsaINQ2zuTubA8PFPj1NJ9ycGDmIPfIWk6_EqpdPO_NfJuL19nqwcfR1IbsNXcLIeUe4wa-OH37kPGew36NTes/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: inline;" title="P1090352_1067x800" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJJMBQ4YDdPUNwFO0uIkpczjWFQGRcBLlVIlYwbFESG6ptx2UN9SsEOPJ53V6GXik6-iwGUnSo7RziCaGb_yopxMROh2_xJ_U_LmgxiybvgC7QftbnAHSXUKgt1WqhAFJxgmy4IA7mn_U/s1600-h/P1090353_1067x800%255B6%255D"><img alt="P1090353_1067x800" border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUMWDll9rwo_nUAy01r865N2Ej1VWs4pLsEblp8zpX52y7fDqzhN01o09qeGs3wiC3NK_knsECaamg4YKqJc9hfcavYzp1MykvY6DRUzIH8xz0qz1PavbrJP1K5DxQBnHaZA9QxlWdI3A/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: inline;" title="P1090353_1067x800" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaXN5ilit1DrR3T21Ht8ywNBesi2sxNGAc8tuUO8xxo1u-DPyWg_DYVYUCLMrfTaDNRsD4vzWMm87ahxAVgF39VtTl6fCUJLsSwUJaawXofPxDh5cMO2rh0CEGakkWI5THJvSBzlbdtpo/s1600-h/P1090354_1067x800%255B5%255D"><img alt="P1090354_1067x800" border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju5sqKSkK52jvVtdFfXW5nqSuN8U1QAXoCq5DDFgNnSfQyN1xNc7598QfOU8Ak8eDpDJugOqpevlgc6lQsqumOZE3hkx-jIpOb_f7SffZMtcOCiyAoVukIt2at9MO0cuJTaLwLk7bdfqY/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="P1090354_1067x800" width="400" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5jn_SOmyqGkUuOMKhsdyZ2V9r4aklxFVIaM2pVhMCX3GHg1IkP-v2m0YOXtT6jiZLDNwIyNxQgaNQJEiUX35KW7lZTRl7hU2hirh-AgHfzsM60IhG_1YMl3MGeDkiw1w4YGOkhGqpfc0/s1600-h/P1090355_600x800%255B5%255D"><img alt="P1090355_600x800" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLJ-s9cALV2Qv2psdA6aHdZE0nRKkUkFxRkx9JA9QtylfCKo0Ctd7QPnaXfhVPK5VQ_O5y8N_d-tHmPZnlEnYJt1DiX-bV3nR5TJbSYaS236LWROpX6sQhaaHVotcfMmpPW2acDjnWt-k/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="P1090355_600x800" width="300" /></a>SurreySwanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07867534173847770711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7635503334406867878.post-76750896234757070132017-09-23T20:30:00.001+01:002017-09-23T20:30:10.595+01:00Corinthian Spa<p>At the meeting on September 3rd we had a visit from Esteller and Stacey from <a href="https://www.corinthianspa.co.uk/" target="_blank">Corinthian Spa</a>.</p><blockquote><p><em>Where a stunning complement of therapeutic and rejuvenating face and body care treatments, using only the best products with the finest ingredients awaits you…. If you are looking for amazing results, pure indulgence and total relaxation, Corinthian Spa can provide you with a haven where you will find the most incredible unique sensations, and result driven treatments.</em></p></blockquote><p>There were close on twenty girls who got to see Esteller prepare the faces of Hannah and Rachel ready for Stacey to provide the makeover.</p><p>There were lots of hints and tips on both skin care and how to apply makeup and everyone was really appreciative. I enjoyed the evening a lot.</p><p>Esteller and Stacey stayed around to chat and offer advice throughout the evening.</p><p>Co-incidentally there was a special offer of a makeover lesson with Stacey at Corinthian Spa not long after the meeting. I, and a few others, went along to this.</p><p>Personally speaking I found it really helpful and it’s had a positive effect upon the makeup that I use and how I apply it. SO it was really worthwhile for me. </p><p>Here are a few pictures to illustrate the event:</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigHH7qKjj-7WsWsonAOeLAyc4o1VHNdUl-W3yZLVizKaH3MKR2xYa4848D2lN8eL6ws0_gBU-Yszn2uzraMbuhPUlrRsMv_N2ZesB-yLfvRlVoL11xUZLleKMEkoYkM5ew8ztqkUX3LfI/s1600-h/P1090337_1067x800%255B4%255D"><img width="479" height="360" title="P1090337_1067x800" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="P1090337_1067x800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtjzFLDTF7jnpNtWoXDJEzXJaqZ980XdoYkZBu63veUoRj8lkauxsZih_nPqGQl3PhyphenhyphenYHorjhOAlsmAjMMct1_SlVaPgZr7PqmC-v9_rwu9CjwfsAPndu5gZTNCVRAQqNK59h5d1B_iAk/?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSn_bvc2RjS_maj1N2iU_pnIyu3fBSg38bDod72k1WAoYi1SoEIJuwUquCYm9Jeb1JF-hOY8SUsZqR9VsnzKMyQzHmv9-22gsWaTP4xb3_CiAbIkMbNQeRq4ueoBoO9jnp7XZt16kRYm0/s1600-h/P1090340_1067x800%255B4%255D"><img width="475" height="357" title="P1090340_1067x800" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="P1090340_1067x800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqd_91XSLiDVvWgIyF3lVWwRASPZ_XigO5bZpjhGjPewp8FErp_AhNWoBhFEHTtM92VhmwENpigxkooEb2eUAowt-mDgU87pfNxAEzirj5PygSNDXtmJCBQdokLchVW16B9TmQqn07IhE/?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiATIRERHW9WCvGTfcWRnQkuuinonskUs5UBHWAL3WrqHxwiGux3_qTuXjhwe2DTBEqxo9INjxUKLqbGRBYEoDhyphenhyphenZWDFodPyXJDdJYXp9i9nDkuGw1RhA8SEV-oaGD-zLeWGSie7iKl63U/s1600-h/P1090341_1067x800%255B4%255D"><img width="354" height="470" title="P1090341_1067x800" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="P1090341_1067x800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpuRae6kx0GfD7mUGlUFp8mzCHkLO8ebYAuMzdbstPbB5uiGxyVDZTIylQqi88yZfPVtC-sQHAk_w-ZlXcMd_Xf3i75MJDy0ROqgvyyJuOmgOMwiBw7st95yKzAyPHDP_xRnfcQ386Ze8/?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p>SurreySwanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07867534173847770711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7635503334406867878.post-82253383213641723852017-07-02T18:31:00.001+01:002017-07-02T18:31:22.866+01:00Hair In.x.s<p>At the end of June Debbie and Gill from <a href="http://www.hairinxs.com/index.html">Hair In.X.s</a> visited us to tell us about what they do. It was great to meet them both and really interesting and informative.</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp5C2Z9Fa2msZBbcO-40Xfvq8X140mvX3QuUhOg-i7IXLc2kWj26NLeVuA4PfZusC0eb3gqrdoBW-3mypXdY5VA1yXal0SvNqdhS0VyLEFh6-Kp4XSfKVQlyiRiIde86r31i56LU1SB6c/s1600-h/P10902835"><img width="460" height="376" title="P1090283" style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="P1090283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO7gkcPF627tXEhErCZvPB6Eptn4v1Z7NyT9qrr78gkhrRqiy9g92BhjpaqteBRv_4SKGkyLRkK6pawGpWFz69XkCeXq0b9QnRJzBcL0ZcWDmfyZnpTq4UA-KRKQHHc97uWED0OS4JPyY/?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p> <p>Debbie is on the left, Gill on the right.</p> <p>And here’s a few of the people that were there on the night.</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF40LzYdgJSOiiiQ45oHv3R9yJZjdnAaJuX0jrtNB4okouh5CjA04cPP87Cb-MZ8yvAhihEzMfeODw6cZUucADpOxcjiO6rLthoR0Ksrpdy0HlTOdatje1n48mDrXl7NYDXUaZVt96bp8/s1600-h/P10902844"><img width="431" height="338" title="P1090284" style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="P1090284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaurl6wi-i154bvDZnqCj9VtfAkVoKMZ6QUX-SWRZlWqM7dVX7uvzftz0-X0rIQfpzUV3Ct-OMB8nEgUhS1I_0aoW5LCbVnxjfvT3Z4SRbbhql5CFWJyi7exdARtaQt77udcq6rqPEz3M/?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p> <p>And myself with Debbie.</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu2g-rgOPJ7mdHR9_S1E8Fbm91RZDEExoy8rw8mCTbjaPKqw4RB6A5xgQn35fLzoPqNpsn-EPVzBtsNtFOKbIAlQTha22_-gdVPzqt1sboZkvEz-W8U-2zqubgapzkRXvH2o3xtbrl-Jw/s1600-h/P10902854"><img width="414" height="325" title="P1090285" style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="P1090285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvZu1zbbq5MJWHFHeQXCKHqRnawJ8EFWKQXralcSdBsgIXa0lS7M2bI0zLYSaMPPCEmI8jp-juUv14-RFa6lDpQS_9BDi1IbqCJkQU25iUr7xLvjdjmH6xcetcIIGRs-uvQHpwWqyAB7Q/?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p>SurreySwanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07867534173847770711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7635503334406867878.post-48464226723030547492017-03-03T13:50:00.001+00:002017-03-03T13:50:53.042+00:00February 2017 and Who We Are<p>The meeting on February 26th was, as always, a really lovely time. It was a chance to meet up with long-standing friends and also some newer ones.</p> <p>It was especially good to begin to get to know six newcomers and one person that had been along just once before several years ago.</p> <p>Towards the end of last year a friend asked me if I could write something about Surrey Swans for her web site, <em><a href="http://theimaginationacts.co.uk/">The Imagination Acts</a></em>.</p> <p>The article has been published here: <a title="http://theimaginationacts.co.uk/stories/" href="http://theimaginationacts.co.uk/stories/">http://theimaginationacts.co.uk/stories/</a> – it’s the story with the title: <strong>Who We Are.</strong></p> <p>This is what it says:</p> <blockquote> <h3 align="center">Who We Are</h3> <p align="center"><b><i>One day social norms will no longer result in people feeling ashamed or guilty about the way that they dress, and we’ll understand that a person is more than the clothing that they choose to wear.</i></b> <p><em>In 2003 a group of people began to meet at the function room of the Lion Brewery in Ash, Surrey. They adopted the name Surrey Swans. People have met there 11 or 12 times a year since then. </em> <p><em>Those that come long are transgender or the friends or partners of people that are transgender.</em> <p><em>I first went along in 2007 and began organising the meetings in 2011.</em> <p><em>Why did the meetings begin? And why do they continue?</em> <p><em>For me, the story runs something like this.</em> <p><em>I was born a boy in the 1950’s. As a teenager, and then as I grew older, I occasionally dressed in clothing that’s generally classified as being ladies.</em> <p><em>It was a secret. It resulted in mixed feelings. Pleasure. Guilt. Shame. Sometimes I would buy things. Other times I would throw them away.</em> <p><em>In the nineties and noughties things were changing. Trans-related issues began to be discussed openly on WEB sites.</em> <p><em>In 2007 I booked a makeover. It felt a bit like meeting myself for the first time. In a way, Andrea was born.</em> <p><em>And then Surrey Swans began to make a big difference in my life. To be more precise, people at Surrey Swans made a big difference.</em> <p><em>No longer alone. No longer a total secret. Guilt and shame giving way to self-acceptance, wellbeing and healing.</em> <p><em>So began a journey.</em> <p><em>Today, Surrey Swans matters to me because of the people.</em> <p><em>It’s a place where I spend time with friends.</em> <p><em>It’s also a place of safety, acceptance and friendship where people who are in the process of discovering themselves can meet other people that are travelling in a similar direction. People who are able to pay attention, to listen, to care, to take seriously and to empathise. </em> <p><em>I believe that love is a kind of giving of attention, and of listening. And so, in its way, Surrey Swans is a place where people receive love.</em> <p><em>It may be that one day there will be no need of places like Surrey Swans. That our perceived social norms will no longer result in people feeling ashamed or guilty about the way that they dress. That we won’t jump to conclusions about who people are based on stereotyped images projected by the media. We’ll understand that a person is more than the clothing that they choose to wear.</em> <p><em>As transgendered people are empowered and encouraged by each other they are more able to go about their daily lives in a way that better reflects who they really are. Able to celebrate rather than self-recriminate. </em> <p><em>As people and groups of people that once stigmatised, chastised and criticised learn to tolerate the transgendered. And then to accept them simply as people. And to welcome them. </em> <p><em>Until one day, no one even notices.</em> <p><em>And little by little this is happening. Right at this very moment.</em> <p><em>And some footnotes:</em> <p><em>The term transgender is broad. It conjures up other words like transsexual, transvestite and<b> </b>crossdresser. And more modern terms such as genderqueer, gender dysphoric and non-binary.</em> <p><em>The same word can mean different things to different people. Different things in different countries. A word that one transgendered person identifies with can sometimes profoundly offend another person.</em> <p><em>Here isn’t the place to discuss the precise meaning of these terms. If you’re interested in the meaning you could try here as a beginning: </em><a href="http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/Transhealth/Pages/Transhealthhome.aspx"><em>http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/Transhealth/Pages/Transhealthhome.aspx</em></a> <p><em>In truth, as with many collective nouns, the words are open to stereotypical abuse. </em> <p><em>The only way to begin to find out what the term means to a particular trans person is to spend some time talking with and listening to that particular person. Everyone has a unique and special story. And not everyone fits into a specially predefined category.</em> <p><em>Having said that, of the people that I know, each in our own uniqueness, we all agree that our trans-ness isn’t about any label that tries to attach itself to us. Really, it’s just who we are.</em> <p><a><em>andrea.wright@hotmail.co.uk</em></a> <p><a href="http://surreyswans.blogspot.co.uk/p/introducing-surrey-swans.html"><em>http://surreyswans.blogspot.co.uk/p/introducing-surrey-swans.html</em></a></p></blockquote>SurreySwanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07867534173847770711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7635503334406867878.post-26316896334517836412016-12-12T20:09:00.001+00:002016-12-12T20:09:41.345+00:00Pre-Christmas Swans<p>The Surrey Swans pre-Christmas buffet happened last night. We had a really nice time. Always good to see people and catch up with what’s happening in their lives.</p> <p>From the top left we have:</p> <p>Emma, Laura, Adele, Clara, Mia, Chelle, Gina<br>Vickie, Tina, Adrienne, Rachel, Chloe, Susan, Chloe<br>Andrea, Sally </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo7xvqI-2LglTv_W12cByKzLjkYaXnhtzqdum7R6Zzjjps44pdQO_uPRRaxIQAwlgg-QXkAXe9TyqlaJCabADgLn7lvHGZdexogxmci5jMACobsKN9IwgneZ4UfzXMAF_c8_Lij1bf8nU/s1600-h/Group%25255B4%25255D.png"><img title="Group" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Group" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuj_6tB2ECDOKAilhALHvwSg8n4EST0pPZgjucBHYE1OJ4osuLspOL7nMnHwZDEePrZENoqpcxKkfSHRBFM9dc-cY0xZi65uJBP4fFXtzU7ol91SyCRjrc66qaFQ1OCODwhKcvBNWyd8o/?imgmax=800" width="525" height="347"></a></p>SurreySwanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07867534173847770711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7635503334406867878.post-76255135936694756312016-06-13T19:29:00.001+01:002016-06-13T19:29:10.651+01:00June 2016<p>We had a good meeting on Sunday June 5th. It was even warm (and dry) enough to sit outside for a while.</p> <p>Jo came to visit along with a display of products, with an opportunity to take a look at things and try them out along with helpful hint;,s tips and advice.</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwaF70mJDLl_2vWkWQeQVWJ81yTXmkuk4QW8cKam3iqCfmmblOjGyGg1qZ5IuPN25de3qyDICKvWoRIPuwzmuR5QHsmJP7W7wFF0Q8SKR6WS7eQOL1cdOPe8xVBZfLGT-BJVBNgePxBjU/s1600-h/P1090073%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1090073" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="P1090073" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj73enWCl2nixI246ByWLUA7y3FnTTOhyZ3sLWua7sPqgP2pBJTt8ZyzHIE6Yx3gnfdUUNwry285yAPPw8qn6GD9yuGfjvTAqnAYy7ZtODkMvC5PmFdmv1WwGiKjCUj1035gdKF5MNlPA/?imgmax=800" width="360" height="283"></a></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcMFiJMDp8WYPrKDHzyLM329lOw43TxeO1WbYW0B0NQdSXQ_VNzkWd7MTcNkKatCg-TFmMyXUmmhdcOLe5vyMne0BUJbqKssMa6Z6nGPUZoZqYmjZ4PnGT5ugr3miLpYZFMZya1Z1OhlM/s1600-h/P1090074%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1090074" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="P1090074" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4GOuQFg-_ouBO7dlAvUOsaa50mP-wia9nzprKqleYKemDaOncrN9ydRxOcCSKk_oWQyWasi9mj4oI0EFt_WbABjjJXqsSKXKuKAJoxOJtrbJKVQZGi-DxmEiUWT71RXgQkSTZeVrQAzM/?imgmax=800" width="360" height="283"></a></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIysKWhf_XCaDqk595ic8SrCix3GejnAP2E7ByMhJw-1Tn1OmgQuVh0E6FDfgba2KUWBTWyD4e7vYt3xuPleJLOrOGhiQF4XnWRyY6c0tyix_Ubd6y5PZR7SB6rQ6wghL0gDTS1B-F_cY/s1600-h/P1090075%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1090075" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="P1090075" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPnRya5epfsQLPx6Yt6NpQZCsgk7r0Xta9l-evaLi9zoity574jHHcLA2jj9d64mONHAUkQiwUY-NSB69CFbuhn7qQXkNLDMcfNGi71laENRau0TNoo8YZsXp3W7V2SziAI7n96Tf6RRs/?imgmax=800" width="281" height="386"></a></p>SurreySwanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07867534173847770711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7635503334406867878.post-9198770915657599882016-01-26T19:46:00.001+00:002016-01-26T19:46:03.846+00:00Pictures that illustrate life isn’t just black and white<p>Back in <a href="http://surreyswans.blogspot.co.uk/2015/12/sunday-november-29-2015speech-and.html" target="_blank">November 2015</a> we had a visit from Ernielson Limbo. </p> <p>As I mentioned then,Ernielson is a second year BA Photography student at the <a href="http://ucreative.ac.uk/farnham" target="_blank">University for the Creative Arts in Farnham</a>. Ernielson has been working on a project on <em>The Third Gender.</em> Part of this involves merging portrait photographs of people with the text of things they have said to produce abstract representations.</p> <p>I said that I’d post a link to the images that Ernielson created one he had completed them. So <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Ernielson-Limbo-Art-Photography-864965186855299/?ref=aymt_homepage_panel" target="_blank">here</a> is Ernielson’s Facebook page and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1090965507588598.1073741836.864965186855299&type=3" target="_blank">here</a> is a link to the album of pictures.</p> <p>They are great!</p> <p>As Ernielson says:</p> <blockquote> <p align="center"><em>This body of work attemps to destroy the socially constructed boundaries of gender in the contemporary world. By the own words of those photographed, the images are manipulated and corrupted. Symbolising the refusual to be categorised and challenges the binary concept of gender as well as expressing gender freedom.<br>A special Thank You to the Surrey Swans</em></p></blockquote> <p align="left">Thank you Ernielson, it was great to meet you. And, of course, you are welcome to visit the Swans any time at all.</p>SurreySwanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07867534173847770711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7635503334406867878.post-90784074541833965192016-01-26T19:33:00.001+00:002016-02-03T07:57:47.677+00:00December specialDecember 2015 was an unusual month for Surrey Swans. <br />
Usually there is no meeting in December, but in 2015 we had a pre-Christmas buffet.<br />
The food was provided by the Lion Brewery, where our meetings take place.<br />
It was a fun, relaxing time.<br />
Here are a few pictures:<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB1SkAz7lt7syXW78jE4GMf0dzz3onTF8l-N-qsZR4mrlsDd_3UKqR-dX9Zpp7eOx5RmMOjy14h2MNUMh9Xbf61L4wRBMbDW9aFzaytsGWxo6D1ksAdZzK6Yf_iTerQpKpG8L6f1FmVLw/s1600-h/P1090021_1024x768%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="P1090021_1024x768" border="0" height="497" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7exeLM2LJ5jby9Oun1OiwO-rSGR4dUVCc68wR_7qCIkTcsUbO7eZe9EvEhaNvgt4nuAsDRQLVBKDTHH0QnfnqKreFWe2cXN1IYYF1Q-xYVQPmy-OVXOVTXlg5hnhHlkhL4sUzxXnhSTo/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="P1090021_1024x768" width="362" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8bvHNb5ibh76H3ofSMdmzFxcP04z8AYIbv5QkT6QYqK5WsYDbjRYnmFkwxuTJQY3PdHw_8M8cFyt8zHhV9O4lKebSk15Jyp_dZu6QBdASJ_o2tsgx76YzKQh7QnBEfUASffZ9r9vzw9E/s1600-h/P1090022_1024x768%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="P1090022_1024x768" border="0" height="514" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKI4xi3y_BpB-nTZ6tp6zLR1YzO930IVI00TzipPqR_pjbEWuAKBcQ0PXpBquc0vSZK_H1AlS3RQGY_yGs0ueHI5fQvZSl3cz-AF31WTPhjTQ6r_nC7eAn5PiC7hkQ9IkLVKhWYyUCBTE/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="P1090022_1024x768" width="362" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDi4Mm02EgbnAaM-XLk2OqoUOCXQ8lrKPpzCDPWsd0vUPMt2WqFmE-qHqb8CGp6Ox2helhKzRkIAgLFEGC3_Idbzjr6cT2hw-nqaNjOg8LYbG_7zLCKrKUf_6kkLpVQ5PXOsPhrYAr1KI/s1600-h/P1090024_1024x768%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="P1090024_1024x768" border="0" height="385" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGLtvz_Cf8m2bKPoWLntBwHZeMP-_whaoTFezfjEHoOi9rxvpojHdIiqcBF8v7KXO0TSwj-U8wBUIsWPTfmwCV_5gCjb7eqs6BAOsgUBaHoFvRmrkBoDkSGl1rkJK3SNUdF4gw1HykHDo/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="P1090024_1024x768" width="491" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjat0UAhVuWKFKtRFlpFcMkPh14nmzRo5u5ptdBtbcGy94me12fUpda4bFS_n24QPTO3WhZfKkmSOtDUNDh6rpilhhU8zTmUCcySlKvntRadQRfz3HS4rqQNXNRovQe4VU4ALIWZYc0QZo/s1600-h/P1090026_1024x768%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="P1090026_1024x768" border="0" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDk5MWB4ifJbyWDcW7nBpYmwpRHDL_2v43KeFf-kDVztn62qBgJ8DACw-9jHLEZU9lajUw_po0gnlYDpJP21nrGAEAciO97QC2KPmIS0OQzIDBU5f6FTyDqRFEr2dpbwf6Db4fydwZdVM/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="P1090026_1024x768" width="494" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQsQAzMxGhp4vHWmoc-7T4ycXY-GffU3DK0scZiOSxx2j2QA94xbHcJJ_u0U8svIjWT8f_gvn7Q04d5-heQ3vMHVvVBzQEQORmfgU0sBP56YqeU4Ec4g4NKBXLsGj_1kuChNcLEoq-n5Y/s1600-h/P1090027_1024x768%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="P1090027_1024x768" border="0" height="387" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGVwz_3s6g_C4v2UgDJJSH4VhQIWIa2_RKkjC1nBtw1WPzCs60W0bYxIW-VR1XLkHixRoHvgn-PEd2l2jGLZlaeUFl_d3BZnw0zu1DYvlpVgMVjPLcOKnZ7k7s3eXpFRp-WVBeBrbcSlA/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="P1090027_1024x768" width="493" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjemIiOgoMhhJYJifpgIrfpV6ZWAiE8fjn6ediVOO3Xc7qdnVwuXJXSspvrQCw8N4daQeKGn9SNY9s4ugDTpziyC80itExDAJRWavuye4ISJsvdnpOthoPMLhFTF_m-HZW3maquuSqNzU/s1600-h/P1090028_1024x768%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="P1090028_1024x768" border="0" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLV98c6mq2gYJUvlr6c_ZDHEOb91KKPosJObhcYZY9wO-kOqQYKFzD_QZ_iCaHrlkof9hPD1E77J96KPKKRfBxEHXKhMXzAuaOzepo3DT5gQtiugFMHrgNvOPCogTnM1OVOAQ6EqWeCJ4/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="P1090028_1024x768" width="494" /></a>SurreySwanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07867534173847770711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7635503334406867878.post-63266697948909288952015-12-02T21:43:00.001+00:002015-12-02T21:43:13.584+00:00Sunday November 29 2015–Speech and Portrait Modification<p>We had a really pleasant evening at the Surrey Swans this week.</p> <p>Louise Milner-Smith who is a Voice and Speech Coach, Qualified Speech and Language Therapist visited us and talked about the work that she has done and continues to do in the area of voice modification, particularly in relation to transgender people.</p> <p> </p> <p>The kind of topics that Louise covered included:</p> <p><strong>Introduction</strong></p> <p>- Who am I</p> <p>- What do I do</p> <p>- Background & relevant experience</p> <p><strong>Getting help – what matters most?</strong></p> <p>- Qualifications</p> <p>- Experience</p> <p>- Cost</p> <p>- Location – hospital / clinic or private setting</p> <p>- Length of initial appointment & follow-up appointment</p> <p>- Group or One to One</p> <p>- Face to face or online (including video consultation)</p> <p><strong>Which voice for you – how to decide?</strong></p> <p><strong>How to look after your voice – general tips</strong></p> <p><strong>Open forum questions & answers</strong></p> <p>It was really interesting and helpful.</p> <p>Louise has a strong personal commitment to helping Transgender people. It was great to meet her and spend some time talking with her. </p> <p>There are contact details for Louise <a href="http://surreyswans.blogspot.co.uk/p/links-to-other-places.html" target="_blank">here</a> if you’d like to find out more.</p> <p>After speaking with us Louise stayed for the rest of the evening chatting with people.</p> <p>Here’s Louise with Linda and Adele.</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguIE6h1DxE4gHqY4_YXCjD_5lnXfLlTmWHHfkYJYvocaatxaewziK-1ZkrY2YI2HIyL1TcMhvElSt8hXU6brT-8lxNTWYVvNHIXQdWjCxXoCKD4-MUHF8D_AkLmlhrIJ2gHYCBqteGeaY/s1600-h/P1090020%252520copy%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1090020 copy" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P1090020 copy" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlvMBnO51CKH1OmMP9DM7ENhdWh0wkNLIjt8VBQmyGYEmSZPjU3M-gatcPRewYYQYHK0IV6r_9HI2JJE6bexdGXHDliRUHaZg3hLO2Wzl2-3eLorWvKmM8NWH0A4RP7BxCbqPwTIpK17U/?imgmax=800" width="544" height="427"></a></p> <p>We also had a visit from Ernielson Limbo. Ernielson is a second year BA Photography student at the <a href="http://ucreative.ac.uk/farnham" target="_blank">University for the Creative Arts in Farnham</a>. Ernielson is working on a project on <em>The Third Gender.</em> Part of this involves merging portrait photographs of people with the text of things they have said to produce abstract representations.</p> <p>Once the images are available I’ll post a link to them.</p> <p>It was great to meet Ernielson, and once he had the portraits and text that he needed he stayed around and chatted with people. </p> <p>Here’s Gina, Mia and Laura with Ernielson.</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiICxZxreo0nRzZuSrpRQZoCf-x8dKD1VjewhypgB19caqcgB_h5xRNCbUzPXYD8cBSIqqzdqsYfJMA3RbKrSoWCqmhHBp0n5n_cp1-COkTHZ_85zj44JzUrYc3F3ZfJjIjS6Xel00UV1o/s1600-h/P1090017%252520copy%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1090017 copy" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P1090017 copy" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQUBo1txqp59JRDG-lbeVe-oywpiBOWloTh3YbJW5s_oTTcqP-TXJUesEqb_EgIJFLwQYSSGVEsm_FdLO_OPVjg0PKF9F-k8Jv_ro23CGUqC5yP19txNJG2QCN9_-ipR-A98Sj4L5IlAk/?imgmax=800" width="510" height="377"></a></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8kOuUj253CvtUlloaWyv_eSk2ls7W-wv4uHW9EMMMXjNiltbgos8ojyTOvQoFEyrWm9Z7EYeJMpNLnHeF_9qmKUJTOXQDNQVdksQaOZXtomgZpEse9JCCxukuYbtsm6a4hlZt_XmXZ40/s1600-h/P1090018%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1090018" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P1090018" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg4P1EEsR9QucSxXpr70EW33qwJPGlPwBPJlWmixrU-mm6UAvhTGR2ILJ7ywLEfylsxH9BRgW8_bnjTI5eGwwNqbQo7HrUWvdEAlcB34e84TQApbTaN32XZzOBdDU7FstSrxevSvO_myg/?imgmax=800" width="513" height="403"></a></p> <p>We had a visit from a film crew of students way back in November 2013 as described <a href="http://surreyswans.blogspot.co.uk/2013/11/sunday-november-24-2013-new-visitors.html" target="_blank">here</a>. </p> SurreySwanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07867534173847770711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7635503334406867878.post-19108339917826798092015-10-26T21:11:00.001+00:002015-10-26T21:11:45.884+00:00October 2015<span style="font-weight: normal;">There were about 16 of us at the meeting this past Sunday, with 2 girls visiting us for the first time.</span><span style="font-weight: normal;">It’s always a real pleasure to meet new people.</span><br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: normal;">We also had a visit from <a href="http://www.myshowcase.com/stylist/michelle_piff" target="_blank">Michelle</a> who told us a bit about the work that she does. It was lovely to meet her and listen to her. She is a stylist who is keen on helping people to have a positive mind-set and to realise their own beauty and greatness. We really hope that she will be able to visit us again sometime soon.</span><br />
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SurreySwanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07867534173847770711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7635503334406867878.post-75719820147268823822015-07-20T19:13:00.001+01:002015-07-20T19:14:42.732+01:00June 2015There was a smaller than usual gathering of girls at the meeting in June.
Nevertheless, it was a very enjoyable evening.<br />
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The weather had been fairly good that day so we sat out a while. Here are a
few of us:<br />
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<br />SurreySwanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07867534173847770711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7635503334406867878.post-61978033522340377632014-12-02T22:10:00.001+00:002014-12-02T22:50:41.512+00:00A visit from Surrey Police<p> </p> <p>On Sunday November 30th we had a visit from Jo, Michelle and Carol. </p> <p>And here they are:</p> <p>Carol, Jo and Michelle:<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGCeoCDccUmMMqO4s594PAUMgSzMV3fVLo8JRhkm5eerqu1rLm8-SiBglw0nLfFQC1QlydN3W40lJiuwKH-ZSz4ZJ1kauEESSzelPdI1bMPcgsUDshMlGogd3U2-xhNCitRDk1UjmYwCQ/s1600-h/P1080828%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1080828" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P1080828" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijk3d8Cal3v870LEGnAotjWFisejQpcZKFT08yN3uhzmIortAkGSVAbhr938RhxOR8evIhkAVXrMA8Ay1KDEs5gMifZnQIFkBYPAF0wHhLE5SAWxL7JmU4lIqigvhpJ5UHLQcX371mXCw/?imgmax=800" width="475" height="373"></a></p> <p>Jo works with <a href="http://www.surrey.police.uk/" target="_blank">Surrey Police</a> and her role there includes that of a LAGLO, There’s some additional info about Surrey Police LAGLOs on Facebook <a href="https://www.facebook.com/SurreyPoliceLGBT/info" target="_blank">here</a> which mentions:</p> <blockquote> <p align="left"><em>Surrey Police LAGLOs (Lesbian and Gay Liaison Officers) are specially trained officers with an interest in helping the LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) community.</em> <p align="left"><em>Surrey Police has a team of LAGLO officers covering the Surrey policing area. There are currently a total of 18 officers who have specialist knowledge and training surrounding the LGBT community and their issues.<br>LAGLO’s work closely with the LGBT community and can provide advice, support and assistance to victims and witnesses affected by homophobic incidents and crimes.</em> </p></blockquote> <p>Michelle also works with Surrey Police. Carol works with <a href="http://www.newpatch.co.uk/" target="_blank">New Patch</a> which mentions:</p> <blockquote> <p><em>Here at New Patch we pride ourselves in providing an all-encompassing legal and professional consultancy service, ‘hand crafted’ to the individual needs of our clients.</em> <p><em>Providing sound advice and assistance on a varied number of matters, we like to think that we ‘fill the space’ between the Citizens Advice Bureau and a traditional solicitors office thus in real terms we could have easily been called ‘The Gap’ (unfortunately some large clothing outfit got there before us)!</em> <p><em>We believe it is not so much ‘what we know’ but more so the unique and individual way in which we deliver that knowledge.</em> <p><em>Do you need us to hold your hand? Would you like us to point you in the right direction? Have you been directed to us? Whatever your circumstances we are here to help and are delighted to be able to do so</em></p></blockquote> <p>Jo talked about the kind of work that she and the LAGLO team at Surrey Police do and answered a range of questions that people had. <p>There was one question regarding the use of conveniences / toilets / restrooms in public areas. We were told that by law transgender people have the right to use the toilets associated with the gender in which they present themselves. Of course, this doesn’t mean that there will never be objections raised by other people about this. But the law doesn’t have a problem with it. There’s a story <a href="http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/investigation-underway-after-transgender-woman-2210251" target="_blank">here</a> that illustrates the kind of problem a person might face. But that this specific case is seen as a hate crime by the police force concerned. <p>Jo also talked about the kind of specialist training that LAGLOs undertake and mentioned that all police officers receive training in diversity. She was clear that everyone, including transgender people has the right to expect the police to give them a fair service. But also realistic in that there are times and places when this hasn’t happened. <p>The diversity training isn’t only relevant to hate crime, but is also relevant in dealing with transgender people in general. Jo also mentioned that whenever police officers are dealing with transgender people they are able to liaise with LAGLOs whenever that helps. <p>Current levels of hate crime generally, and trans-phobic hate crime in particular in Surrey are low. However it is believed that a lot goes unreported. Jo mentioned that it is possible to report hate crime anonymously and mentioned that this can be really helpful to the police force in helping them identify areas where they can be of most help and service. <p>Jo said that as with all crimes, there are various degrees of hate crime. But that legally speaking, pretty much anything (words or deeds) that caused offence to a transgender person and related to the expression of their gender would be considered to be a hate crime. <p>Everyone that I spoke to found the evening to be very informative and was very appreciative. <p>Personally, I was left with the feeling and belief that Surrey Police are committed to offering support and protection to the LGBT community and it was a real pleasure to meet Jo, Michelle and Carol <p>After the meeting, Jo emailed me the following message:</p> <blockquote> <p><em>I just wanted to take the opportunity to say that it was a pleasure to meet you all last night, thank you for inviting me to speak.</em> <p><em>Surrey Police LAGLO Team can be reached on the following number … 01483 630474</em> <p><em>Or email us on </em><a href="mailto:laglo@surrey.pnn.police.uk"><em>laglo@surrey.pnn.police.uk</em></a> <p><em>If you use Twitter you can find us… @SurreyBeatLGBT</em> <p><em>Or Facebook… Lesbian and Gay Liaison Officers</em> <p><em>The Surrey Police website has details of how you can report a crime anonymously and for those not living in Surrey I am sure our surrounding Forces have a similar set up, please check the individual websites or contact the Force Diversity Team.</em></p></blockquote> SurreySwanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07867534173847770711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7635503334406867878.post-59878468442414712122014-11-04T20:14:00.001+00:002014-11-04T20:14:34.259+00:00Photography Project<p>I recently received an email asking if I’d post the following request: <blockquote> <p>I am a 3rd year BA Photography student( a mature one) and I’m undertaking a project on transgender for my final major photography project this year. <p>I’m interested in working with anyone who is going through the transition process. I’m not focusing on nudity as this seems to be a common theme in many of the photographers I’ve researched. I want my project to have a different, more positive focus and I’d like my photos to show trans as ordinary people, trying to get through the daily grind just like everyone else and enjoying life at home or out with friends. <p>As I’m based in Surrey it would be preferable if you are in London, Surrey or within easy driving distance of London. Brighton is good too. <p>If you’re interested drop me an email at <a href="mailto:surreybutterfly@gmail.com">surreybutterfly@gmail.com</a> and I’ll get back to you asap.</p></blockquote> <p>As mentioned above, please could you send an email to the address above if you are interested. <p>Thanks. <p><a href="http://andrea-wright.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Andrea</a></p> SurreySwanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07867534173847770711noreply@blogger.com0